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Yerry Mina was handed a World Cup start for Colombia on Sunday and did not disappoint as he found the target in a 3-0 win over Poland.
The Barcelona defender was left out of the team which started the World Cup for Colombia in their 2-1 defeat to Japan but came in as Jose Pekerman changed his team.
And Mina was the man to break the deadlock just before half-time as he headed home a gorgeous cross by James Rodriguez.
GOAALLL! Yerry Mina heads Colombia ahead against Poland after a great cross from James Rodriguez.#WorldCup #COL #POLCOL pic.twitter.com/FGJn3TnG7f
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 24, 2018
What a ball by James! What a finish by Yerry Mina!
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 24, 2018
Colombia take the 1-0 lead late in the first half. pic.twitter.com/Yb9GMUCgd6
Mina also put in a pretty good defensive display and ensured Robert Lewandowski barely had a sniff as Colombia collected their first clean sheet of the tournament.
The 23-year-old has been heavily linked with a move away from Barcelona this summer and his performance may have given the club plenty to think about.
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Clement Lenglet has been rumored to be joining to strengthen the club’s defence, but he is another left-footed centre-back like Samuel Umtiti and Thomas Vermaelen. If Mina leaves that means Gerard Pique is the team’s only right-footer.
Yet Lenglet’s arrival is not the only potential complication. Barcelona are apparently determined to bring in Arthur this summer, and if the Brazilian does arrive a non-EU spot will need to be freed up.
It’s difficult to know if Mina will be at the Camp Nou next season, but if he keeps on impressing at the World Cup he certainly won’t do his chances of staying any harm.